Olivia Clark Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Olivia Clark is a singer, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss Bay State! As we close in on the Miss

Photo by Peter Camyre

Massachusetts pageant this month, I was glad she agreed to visit and discuss those topics, and a few more! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

So, let’s see what happens when Olivia Clark visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Bay State?

When I heard my name called as Miss Bay State 2018, I felt all sorts of excitement, relief, happiness and gratitude. I could not believe I was going to return to the Miss Massachusetts stage, so naturally I celebrated by singing along to my favorite songs all the way back to Western Mass. This scene should’ve been recorded considering it was incredibly off-key and belted at the top of my lungs.

You were a semi-finalist at last year’s Miss Massachusetts competition. What did you learn from that experience that will help you this year?

Last year I was overwhelmingly thrilled just to have the opportunity to compete at Miss Massachusetts, that any anxieties I had about the competition melted away. I truly let myself be completely present in the moment and have pure, unapologetic fun. I  wholeheartedly believe that mindset affected my competition in the best way possible and the judges were able to see the confidant, proud young woman that I truly am. The biggest lesson I will bring into this year is to not stress about the results, but to enjoy the experience.

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Bay State?

This year I really want to focus on going to as many appearances I can. I faithfully believe the strength of the Miss America Organization comes from local titleholders having personal interactions with people in the community. My goal is to bring the essence of Miss America to the State of Massachusetts.

How did you select your platform: Operation Breathe Peace – Promoting Anxiety Relief and Proactive Prevention?

All through high school and college I struggled with serious social anxiety and had no idea how to manage it. It wasn’t until I started my yoga teacher training program that I really started taking note of what activities truly made my anxiety subside. From that day forward it has been my mission to encourage people to take a personal inventory of themselves and find those positive outlets to channel their own unsettling energy into. It’s all through methods of trial an error but eventually everyone will find their own way to breathe a little peace.

What is your favorite part about performing your competition talent on stage?

I’ve always loved to sing and the idea of performing in front of

hundreds of people has always intrigued my heart. However, up until recently I used to have crazy stage fright. It wasn’t until I threw caution to the wind and started competing that I actually sang in front of real-life people, let alone a huge crowd. For me, performing my talent represents overcoming any obstacles that truly feel out of reach. Every time I compete in the talent phase of competition I struggle to hold back my tears of pride. I am doing something I never thought I would have the courage to do.

What is your personal fitness routine?

I’m always hesitant to refer to my lifestyle as having a fitness “routine.” Aside from teaching one or two regular yoga classes a week and making sure I get up and walk during the typical office day, my workout schedule is always changing. The biggest focus I have is listening to my body and training what I want, when I want. Whether it be lifting heavy, running anywhere from 3 to 9 miles, 20 minute HIIT routines, yoga or stretching, I always want to be sure I am putting my mental health first and enjoy what I’m doing. (Even if that means taking a day to meditate and eat cookies!)

If you had an extra ticket to Section 36, who would you bring with you to watch the Red Sox play?

Definitely my best friend Kensi Riley, Miss Western Massachusetts 2018! Aside from competing together, we are always trying to find a new adventure to take on. Actually, I am surprised we haven’t already been to a Red Sox game together!

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? Why?

Mookie Betts! Not only is he incredibly talented on the field, but his attitude towards the game and his personal success is exceptionally humble. I remember an interview he did back in February where he was stressing the importance of having fun and remembering why [the players] started playing the game in the first place. I think that’s an admirable mindset to have when you’re in any kind of competition.

How do you think the Red Sox will finish the 2018 season?

Is it super cliché to say World Series Champions? I would love to see them finish the regular season as a wild card team and then moving on to win the World Series. Talk about keeping us on the edge of our seats!

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I'd have to say that's a perfectly fine answer!

As always, I want to thank Olivia for visiting. She is the second Miss Bay State to visit with us, and I'm so glad we were able to make it happen. I also want to thank her for sending along the pictures that accompany the interview. They are wonderful, and really make for a better post!

As Olivia continues her time as Miss Bay State, I encourage you to follow her on her official Facebook page. You should also follow her platform's Instagram account. It's a way to break up your feed with reminders to love and respect yourself!

And, of course, I want to wish Olivia luck this month when she competes for the Miss Massachusetts crown. Section 36 visitors have performed well at that competition, and it would be fantastic to have another one come out on top!

Thanks again Olivia and good luck!

June Klemmer Visits Section 36!

Photo by Peter Camyre

Section 36 has another visitor! June Klemmer is an avid traveler and the current Miss Bay State. She just finished competing for the Miss Massachusetts crown, but was nice enough to take some time out of competition weekend to visit with us to discuss those topics along with the Red Sox. I’m sure glad she did.

So, let’s see what happens when June Klemmer visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for Miss Bay State?
I always grew up watching Miss America on TV, but never knew what it took to be one of those girls. When I was in 7th grade, we had an "alternative career day" and a pageant queen came in. After speaking to her, and learning more about pageants, I immediately decided to compete. Through the process (it took about two years for me to actually enter the Miss America Organization) I worked with her and her mother, as her mother worked at my school. Fast forward to my first local as an Outstanding Teen, and that same girl crowned me as her mother sat in the audience in tears. It was truly a memory I will never forget, and is one that keeps me going at every competition, as it was truly a crowning moment for me. 

As for the title Miss Bay State itself, I knew that if I didn't try just one last time this season, I was going to regret it. I couldn't through over five years of hard work down the drain in my pursuit for the Miss Massachusetts crown. 

Your business manager is also your predecessor as Miss Baty State, Monique Vacon. How has she helped you prepare for the upcoming Miss Massachusetts competition?
Monique has truly been a blessing to me as Miss Bay State. Last year we competed together at Miss Massachusetts, and have been competing together for years. As my schedule is insanely busy at the moment, she has found ways to squeeze appearances in, and practically packed for me as I prepared for Miss Massachusetts. Without her, I am not sure that I would have felt so strongly prepared for the pageant. 

What part of the Miss Massachusetts pageant are you most looking forward to?
Although I just compete in the preliminary portion of Miss Massachusetts, just being here for the week is my favorite part. All of the energy and excitement that surrounds you as you stand with the other amazing girls competing is so hard to describe, as everyone is so happy to be there, and has worked so hard to get

there. 

How did you decide on your platform, "Learn Something new! Encouraging a Higher Education."?

I originally chose my platform because I was an education major. As I moved away from education, I stuck with my platform because I now plan to work in alternative high schools as a social worker, and wanted to emphasize how we generally do not encourage at-risk youth to pursue a higher education. 

What has surprised you about your limited time as Miss Bay State?
Honestly, it is so hard to surprise me now in the pageant world. But, after having not one but two talent costumes fail me for Miss

Massachusetts (the first one never arrived, and the second tore during rehearsal) I learned that I can take those unexpected bumps fairly well. It is always fun to learn something about yourself and surprise yourself like that. 

You’ve done quite a bit of traveling in your life. Where is someplace that you haven’t been, but would like to visit?
I would love to explore more of this country, with a focus on California and that sates surrounding it. At this point that is the only part of the country I have not visited, and my goal is to reach all 50 states.

Growing up in North Carolina, you were pretty far removed from Major League Baseball. What’s something you have noticed about Red Sox fans now that you’re immersed in Red Sox Nation?
Oh. My. Goodness. Y'all are crazy with baseball. As someone who didn't really grow up with the sport, its crazy to me. Personally baseball is something I do not follow (or any sports for that matter) but I do not think i have ever seen so many people wearing shirts for a team like they do for the Red Sox! 

If you had two tickets to watch the Red Sox in Section 36, who would you bring to the game with you?
I would most likely bring my boyfriend with me, as I am sure he would be thrilled to go to my 1st major league baseball game with me.

How do you think the Red Sox will finish the 2017 season?
To be honest with you, I don't even know how they are doing now. But I hope they finish well! It seems like everyone is just slightly happier when their favorite team wins. 

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Hard to argue with that plan! Love how she can so easily see Red Sox nation in full force!

As always, I want to send a huge thank you to June for taking the time to visit with us, especially at such a busy time! I hope you enjoyed the visit as much as I did. Another big thanks for supplying the pictures included with the interview. They really make the interview much better than it would be otherwise. 

If you want to find out more about June, you should definitely check out her official Facebook page. It's a great way to follow along with her on her Miss Bay State journey. 

And good luck to June as she finishes her time as Miss Bay State!

Thanks again June!

Monique Vacon Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Monique Vacon is a New England sports fan, and the current Miss Bay Sate. You may remember her

from the fantastic picture she submitted posing with Section 36. I waited far too long to ask her, but thankfully she was nice enough to visit with us to discuss the Red Sox, herself, and her time as Miss Bay State. So, let's see what happens when Monique Vacon visits Section 36!


What has been your favorite thing about being Miss Bay State?
I am a New England girl so to have the opportunity to represent my home for a year has been an absolute dream. My favorite thing about being Miss Bay State has been sharing my crown and sash with all of the kiddos.

Is there something left that you'd like to accomplish before the end of your reign?
Honestly, I have had the most amazing year but I hope that we can surpass our goal of $343,377 at the 2017 94.7 WMAS Baystate Children’s Hospital Radiothon.

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Bay State crown?
After the pageant, I did not want to take my crown off so I wore it to the Boston Tavern in Middleboro and had dinner with my family and friends.

How do we get more youth involved in volunteerism?
Volunteering has always been an invaluable part of my life ever since I was a kid. Teaching children about empathy is crucial in order to promote volunteerism. I teach my own students that helping others in need can be such a gratifying experience. Through my platform, Wish for a Miracle: Education Youth in Volunteerism, my students have made cards for children in local hospitals, raise money for Make-A- Wish, create their own fundraising projects and donated clothing to homeless shelters.

What are your plans after your reign is over?
I will continue my Master of Education degree and I will be the new business manager for the lucky young woman who wins Miss Bay State 2017.

What do you remember about your last trip to Fenway Park?
My last trip to Fenway Park I was introduced on the field, said “play ball” and watched the game with my entire family. It was by far one of my favorite appearances and the Red Sox won that night!

This is the first Red Sox season in a while without David Ortiz. What your favorite Ortiz memory?
There are so many memorable moments in Ortiz's career especially his hilarious Dunkin Donuts commercials. My favorite memory was when his daughter sang the national anthem. His reaction was so genuine and heartfelt.


What were you doing when the Red Sox won the 2013 World Series?
I believe I was in my living room watching the game with my family.

What are you most looking forward to about the Red Sox in 2017?

The addition of Chris Sale and the rest of the loaded pitching staff!


How will the Red Sox finish the 2017 season?
Obviously, the Indians are going to be contending in the AL again but I think the Red Sox will be right there at the end of the season and go deep into the playoffs.

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Hard to argue with that. Hope they go very deep into the playoffs. 

I want to give Monique a huge thank you for taking the time to visit with us. I also want to thank her for sending in such a large assortment of pictures to go along with the interview. Pictures definitely make the post more appealing. 

If you want to find out more about Monique, you should definitely check out her website: Miss Vacon. It's a great way to follow along with her on her Miss Bay State journey. 

I wish Monique luck as she completes her year as Miss Bay Sate. And, maybe when she's working with her successor she'll mention the best section in Fenway.

Thanks again Monique!